Alexandra Benedict's Murder on the Christmas Express - Review

Murder On The Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A delightful Christmas mystery in the tradition of classic cosies with dark undertones.

Homeward bound for Christmas, a group of passengers board the sleeper train to the Scottish Highlands on Christmas Eve during a violent snowstorm.

During the journey, the train is derailed, stranding the passengers and crew without warmth and with only limited supplies.

But their dilemma takes an ever darker turn when one of their number is found dead in their cabin. A killer stalks amongst them and their murderous plot is not yet fulfilled.

'Murder on the Christmas Express' is the second Christmas mystery by Alexandra Benedict and her fourth crime novel. A thoroughly enjoyable mystery, spiced with the darkness of a psychological thriller, the plot hurtles onwards through multiple twists and revelations, seamlessly blending character development with exploration of heavy themes. Beneath the frothy festivities of a journey home for the holiday, with everyone a suspect and potential victim, there is a cultural and sociological depth, as well as dashes of romance and domestic peril to blend this festive cocktail.

At the centre of the story is no-nonsense ex-police detective Roz, travelling home just like everyone else, desperately wanting to get to her daughter who is suffering complications in labour. I immediately warmed to Roz; beneath her, at times, steely exterior, lies an emotional and morally-driven soul, struggling with her own trauma. Nevertheless, it is her presence as a skilled professional which drives the story, investigating the case while the police are yet to reach them. It would be great to see Roz feature in further mysteries in the future.

Taking inspiration from Agatha Christie's masterpiece 'Murder on the Orient Express', the story embodies the spirit of this earlier novel in multiple ways, including its dark undercurrents and exploration of the theme of justice. Other key themes in this deadly mix are the cultures of social media and celebrity, exploring how dark truths can lurk beneath the veneer of perceived perfection – making this a timely story on multiple levels. It never loses its fun, but also has something serious to say. To complete the Yuletide package, there are also quizzes, puzzles and challenges woven amongst the prose for lovers of games.

A thrill-ride of a novel, ‘Murder on the Christmas Express’ is a hugely enjoyable and thought-provoking thriller in the style of a classic mystery with a modern edge.



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